Method of producing hydrogen water

ABSTRACT

A process of producing hydrogen water includes the steps of: providing a source of spring water; cooling the water to a temperature of from 33 to 38 degrees F.; providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooled water with the hydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sized hydrogen bubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooled water; recirculating the water through the venturi injector until a predetermined hydrogen content in the water is realized forming hydrogen water having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts per million.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 63/116,471 filed Nov. 20, 2020 and is a CIP application of U.S.application Ser. No. 15/499,237 filed on Apr. 27, 2017 which claims thebenefit of U.S. Provisional Application 62/328,324 filed on Apr. 27,2016 and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein byreference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a process of producing hydrogen water and aprocess of filling a pouch with hydrogen water.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hydrogen-enriched water is being produced as a drinking product.Hydrogen is diffused through drinking water and is captured in spacesbetween the molecules of the water. Simple diffusion may result in amaximum of around 3 parts per million of hydrogen to water. However,hydrogen is quite light and will migrate from between the watermolecules quite easily. Additionally, hydrogen will react with anyoxygen that is present to produce water. Accordingly, filling ofhydrogen water into containers such as flexible pouches must becarefully done in order to maintain hydrogen within the water andmaintain a long shelf life for the product. There is therefore a need inthe art for an improved process of producing hydrogen water and animproved process for packaging hydrogen water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, there is disclosed a process of producing hydrogen watercomprising the steps of: providing a source of natural spring water;cooling the water to a temperature ranging from 33 to 38 degrees F.;providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooled water with thehydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sized hydrogen bubblesin the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooled water forminghydrogen water having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts permillion.

In another aspect, there is disclosed a process of producing hydrogenwater comprising the steps of: providing a source of natural springwater; cooling the water to a temperature ranging from 33 to 38 degreesF.; providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooled water withthe hydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sized hydrogenbubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooled water;recirculating the water through the venturi injector until apredetermined hydrogen content in the water is realized forming hydrogenwater having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts per million.

In a further aspect, there is disclosed a process of producing hydrogenwater comprising the steps of: providing a source of natural springwater; cooling the water to a temperature ranging from 33 to 38 degreesF.; providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooled water withthe hydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sized hydrogenbubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooled water;recirculating the water through the venturi injector until apredetermined hydrogen content in the water is realized forming hydrogenwater having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts per million;filling a pouch with the formed hydrogen water.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is flow diagram of the process of producing hydrogen water;

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a filling process for filling pouches withhydrogen water;

FIG. 3 is diagram of a pouch at a sterilization station;

FIG. 4 is a diagram of a pouch at a filling station.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An improved method for producing hydrogen-enriched water is shown inFIG. 1. The method includes the step of providing natural spring water10. In one aspect, the spring water may include a naturally occurringamount of minerals such as potassium, calcium and magnesium. In oneaspect, the spring water may have a total dissolved solids per million(TDS) of from 30 to 35. In a further aspect, the spring water may have apH of from 7.0 to 7.4. The mineral content provides a water substratethat does not leach minerals from a person's body as can occur using areverse osmosis water where all minerals are removed from the water.

Next, in a first portion of a multi-part filtration and decontamination,the water is moved using a transfer pump 13 and is then subjected toultra-violet radiation 15 and micron sized filtration 17 and is routedto a storage tank 19. Sample outlets 21 are provided before the water isrouted to the transfer pump 13 and in the storage tank 19.

The water in the storage tank 19 is moved by a pump 27 and is subjectedto ultra-violet radiation 15 and micron sized filtration 17. In oneaspect, the micron filtration 17 has a size of 0.2 microns. The water isthen routed to a precooling tank 23 and cooled to a temperature lessthan ambient such as from 33 to 38 degrees F. The cooled water from theprecooling tank 23 is then moved to a pressure tank 25 using a pump 27.

The cooled water from the precooling tank 23 is then moved to a venturiinjector 33 using a high pressure pump 28. In one aspect, the highpressure pump 28 operates at pressures of from 23 to 30 psi.

The high pressure pump 28 moves water from the pressure tank 25 where itis subjected to ultra-violet radiation 15 and micron sized filtration29. In one aspect, the micron filtration 29 has a size of 5 microns. Ascreen filter 31 having a mesh size of 5 is positioned between theultra-violet radiation 15 and micron sized filtration 29.

Next, the water is passed through the venturi injector 33 and contactedwith hydrogen gas 35. The venturi injector 33 may be a one inch venturithat narrows to ⅜ of an inch at a narrow portion of the venturi. Theventuri injector 33 increases the surface area of contact of thehydrogen gas 35 with the water and forms micro-sized hydrogen bubbles inthe water. The hydrogen gas 35 is diffused into the water across theventuri injector 33 resulting in a greatly enhanced presence of hydrogenin the water. In one aspect, the hydrogen gas may be introduced into theventuri injector 33 at a pressure of from 7 to 12 psi.

The water is then routed back to the pressure tank 25 in a loop 37 withthe venturi injector 33. The water is circulated in the loop 37 until apredetermined hydrogen content in the water is attained. The loop 37 mayincluding hydrogen recirculating vessels 39 that are connected to thepressure tank 25.

In one aspect, the water is circulated in the loop 37 until a hydrogencontent of from 3 to 10 ppm is realized. The water may be circulated ata flow rate of approximately 12 gallons per minute when used with a 30gallon pressure tank. The temperature in the loop is maintained at from34 to 32 F.

Sample outlets 21 are provided throughout the flow path and allow formonitoring various parameters including the hydrogen content of thewater. Following the diffusion of hydrogen in the loop 37 to apredetermined content, the water is packaged in a pouch at a fillingstation 39.

While not being bound by theory, it is believed that the cooling of thewater prior to contact with hydrogen expands the space between hydrogenatoms in the water molecule allowing hydrogen atoms of the hydrogen gasto be positioned in the space between the water hydrogen atoms for theunexpected high parts per million of hydrogen in the hydrogenated waterwith a subsequent stability for an extended period of time, such as from2 to 12 months.

Method of Filling

A method of filling containers such as flexible plastic foil laminatepouches is shown in FIG. 2. The pouches 28 may be formed from panels offlexible plastic/foil laminate. Although shown with respect to a standup pouch with a bottom gusset 30, the method may be used with any typeof container having a fitment 32 with a spout 34 and flexible walls 36.The pouches 28 are formed in a conventional manner and a fitment 32 ismounted between the top edges 38 of the pouch 28. As shown in FIG. 2,the pouches 28 are loaded onto a turret 40 at a first station 42. Thepouches 28 are date coded at a second station 44. The pouch 28 is openedat a third station 46 and sterilized at a fourth station 48. As shown inFIG. 3, the pouch 28 may be sterilized by dry steam or infraredradiation or hydrogen peroxide gas.

In one aspect, the filling station may include an inert environment withnitrogen gas flooding the entire station and preventing oxygen frombeing introduced into the packing process maintain the hydrogen contentof the water by preventing reaction of hydrogen with oxygen.

At the filling station 50, as shown at FIG. 4, a diving filling tube 52is moved downwardly through a hood 54 and through the spout 34 of thefitment 32. The filling tube 52 is positioned approximately ½ inch fromthe bottom of the pouch 28. The hydrogen-enriched water is thendelivered from a reservoir through the filling tube 52 to the bottom ofthe pouch 28. The filling tube 52 is held in this position until thehydrogen-enriched water rises approximately ⅛ inch over the bottom edgeof the filling tube 52. The filling tube 52 is then raised at a ratewhich keeps the bottom edge of the filling tube 52 submersed beneath thelevel of the water so as to minimize turbulence. Turbulence fromhydrogen-enriched water entering the pouch 28 through the filling tube52 may result in dislodgement of the hydrogen molecules from between thewater molecules. Thus, it is desirable to minimize the turbulence. Thepouch 28 is filled to the very top of the spout 34 so that a meniscus isformed at the top of the spout 34.

The pouch is then moved to the capping station 50 as shown in FIG. 2.The caps 58 are delivered to the station from a bowl feeder 60 through adelivery tube 62. The bowl feeder 60 is housed in a chamber which isfilled with nitrogen to prevent oxygen from contaminating the caps 58.The caps 58 are then fed through a sterilizing passage 64. Thesterilizing passage 64 has a center hydrogen peroxide gas chamber 66positioned between two hot air chambers 68. The hot air chambers 68 keepthe hydrogen peroxide gas from escaping. The caps 58 are sterilized asthey pass through the hydrogen peroxide gas. At the end of thesterilization passage 64, the cap 58 is taken from the passage by arobotic arm 70 to be twisted onto the spout 34. Nitrogen gas is providedinto the top of the pouch to prevent any oxygen contamination.

EXAMPLES Example 1

A system including the apparatuses shown in FIG. 1 was providedincluding a storage tank 19, pumps 27, a pre-cooling tank 23, pressuretank 25, high pressure pump 28, recirculating vessels 23, venturi 33 andlines connected all of the components. Also provided are the filters andsanitizing apparatus described above.

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 2.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 3 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 2

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 4.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 4 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 3

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 6.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 5 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 4

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 8.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 6 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 5

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 10.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 7 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 6

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 12.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 9 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

Example 7

Natural spring water from KeyStone Water Company of Lakewood Fla. wasprovided and had a dissolved solid content measured at 20 ppm and thewater was subjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in astorage tank. The water was moved from the storage tank water and wassubjected to UV treatment and filtration and placed in the pre-coolingtank. The water was cooled to 33 degrees F. The water was moved to thepressure tank and hydrogen was introduced into the water in the loopthrough the venturi. The water was circulated in the loop at a flowrateof 13-15 Gallons per minute. The water was maintained in the loop for aperiod of 14.0 hours. Hydrogen measurements were performed at a sampleport located just prior to the filling station. The hydrogen content wasmeasured at 10 ppm. The hydrogen water was then filled into pouches asdescribed above.

As can be seen from the above, the process provides unexpectedly highhydrogen content to the cooled water from 3 to 10 ppm and provideshydrogen water in a pouch with high hydrogen content. After the initialtwo hour circulation the hydrogen content of the water increases 1 ppmafter every additional 2 hours of circulation in the loop.

1. A process of producing hydrogen water comprising the steps of:providing a source of spring water; cooling the water to a temperatureof from 33 to 38 degrees F.; providing a source of hydrogen gas;contacting the cooled water with the hydrogen gas in a venturi injectorforming micro-sized hydrogen bubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogengas into the cooled water forming hydrogen water having a hydrogencontent of from 3 to 10 parts per million.
 2. The process of claim 1including the step of recirculating the water through the venturiinjector until a predetermined hydrogen content in the water isrealized.
 3. The process of claim 2 wherein the predetermined hydrogencontent is from 3 to 4 ppm.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the springwater has a total dissolved solids per million of from 30 to
 35. 5. Theprocess of claim 1 wherein the spring water has a pH of from 7.0 to 7.4.6. The process of claim 1 including the step of exposing the water toultraviolet radiation.
 7. The process of claim 1 including the step offiltering the water using micron sized filtration.
 8. The process ofclaim 1 wherein the water is circulated at a flow rate of from 12 to 15gallons per minute.
 9. The process of claim 1 wherein the hydrogen isintroduced into the venture at a pressure of from 7 to 12 psi.
 10. Theprocess of claim 1 including the step of filling a pouch with the formedhydrogen water.
 11. The process of claim 10 wherein the step of fillingthe pouch includes providing a pouch having sealed flexible wallsincluding a fitment and spout and loading it in a turret.
 12. Theprocess of claim 11 including the steps of date coding, opening andsterilizing the pouch.
 13. The process of claim 12 including the stepsof inserting a filling tube into the sterilized pouch proximate a bottomof the pouch and introducing the formed hydrogen water into the pouchand raising the filling tube at a rate such that the filling tuberemains submerged in the hydrogen water.
 14. The process of claim 10wherein the pouch is filled to a top of the spout forming a meniscus atthe top of the spout.
 15. The process of claim 14 including the step ofapplying a cap to the spout.
 16. The process of claim 15 wherein thestep of applying a cap includes feeding caps through a sterilizationpassage and applying the cap to a spout of the pouch.
 17. The process ofclaim 15 wherein the step of applying a cap includes forcing a portionof water out of the pouch prior to applying the cap to the spout.
 18. Aprocess of producing hydrogen water comprising the steps of: providing asource of spring water; cooling the water to a temperature of from 33 to38 degrees F.; providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooledwater with the hydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sizedhydrogen bubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooledwater; recirculating the water through the venturi injector until apredetermined hydrogen content in the water is realized forming hydrogenwater having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts per million.
 19. Aprocess of producing hydrogen water comprising the steps of: providing asource of spring water; cooling the water to a temperature of from 33 to38 degrees F.; providing a source of hydrogen gas; contacting the cooledwater with the hydrogen gas in a venturi injector forming micro-sizedhydrogen bubbles in the water and diffusing hydrogen gas into the cooledwater; recirculating the water through the venturi injector until apredetermined hydrogen content in the water is realized forming hydrogenwater having a hydrogen content of from 3 to 10 parts per million;filling a pouch with the formed hydrogen water.
 20. The process of claim19 wherein the hydrogen water in the pouch has a hydrogen content offrom 3 to 4 parts per million.